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Pot Composting, How to Layer Greens and Browns

I have been going explaining what I think is an improved way to compost using small pots. In my first post on Small Pot Composting, I explain what I like and do not like about composting in general.

I also provided a link to Pot Composting that started me on Pot Composting. One of the main drawbacks for small family composting, is lack of materials and abundance of problems. I hoped when I started Pot Composting would solve most of the issues for small scale composting.

Pot Composting is a way around the problems small families face using traditional composting methods. One problem with the video method is, you may notice that the compost does not look too much like compost as we think of compost.

In my second post on Pot Composting, I write about collection, storage, and proper sizing of your kitchen waste for more effective results. When the amount of material to compost and the size of a compost bin of choice are small, adjustments must be made.

As these compost bins, in this case, small clay pots, not a lot of heat is generated, and little high energy composting takes places. Being realistic about what the end product will be, and the process changes from large scale composting.

I left off with having enough scraps to add another layer to the compost pot. I started with a new pot, as the second pot is full and I am done with it for now. The first item to do is ready the kitchen waste. If you jumped in here, you may want to read the first two posts which I linked above.

I use both scissors and masher to make the scraps small. Use what you have handy. A cutting board and knife will do the job as long as you ensure the pieces are less than 1/2 inch around. The smaller the better. Ensuring whatever you are going to add to your compost pot is free of pesticides and weed killer is important.

If you are not careful and you add some of your neighbors grass clippings for example, they may be coated with both fertilizer and weed killer. The fertilizer is good for your compost. Weed Killer on the other hand does not generally discriminate between your flowers, vegetables and weeds.

Adding to your pot is easy. Starting with an empty pot follow the steps below layering as you go. Always finish with a layer of brown material. This helps deter pests such as flies that would enjoy to snacking on your green waste.

Place 1/2 sheet of newspaper folded to the size of your pot in the bottom of your pot. Ensure the newspaper covers the drain hold in the bottom of the pot.

Add a layer of soil, weeds that are not in seed, or any other green or brown waste on top of the newspaper 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Spread it out evenly. Try to keep the layer closer to 1/4 inch thick seems to work better.

Brown and Green with a newspaper bottom is all you need to do

Spoon out the collected and chopped kitchen waste on top of the soil. Be gentle and try not to stir up the bottom layer.

Smooth out the kitchen waste, and cover with another layer of of soil, weeds that are not in seed, or brown waste such as leaves, or small twigs mixed with soil.

Cover your pot as you do not want flies hanging around your small compost bins. I use another pot, with a layer of leaves and twigs in the bottom as a house fly deterrent.

You are all set, repeat these steps until your pot is full. In the next post, I will explain how I modified Pot Composting to make everything work faster.